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Al Lawson Wants VA to Focus on Veteran Hunger

Noting Veterans Day is coming up later this week, U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, D-Fla., continued his focus on hunger on Wednesday, writing to U.S. Veterans Affairs Sec. David Shulkin about veterans facing food insecurity.

Noting that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) started collecting information on veterans dealing with limited food at the start of the month, Lawson urged Shulkin to report to Congress on the matter. Lawson rounded up almost 20 members of Congress, including U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY, to sign the letter which focused on expanding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to veterans.

“We ask that you provide a report on the status of veteran food security and hunger screenings to relevant House and Senate oversight committees by November of 2018, along with recommendations about further actions that could be taken to assist veterans who are determined to be food insecure, including pilot programs to test the feasibility of SNAP enrollment and applications assistance by VA personnel,” the members wrote. “It is imperative that members of Congress are briefed by the administration the progress of this screening tool as well as VA programs and personnel efforts to connect those in need to SNAP and other social services.”

Gillibrand and Lawson have teamed up before. Back in September, they paired up to unveil the “SNAP Standard Medical Expense Deduction Act of 2017.” The proposal provides seniors a deduction if they apply for SNAP benefits, giving them anywhere between an additional $7-$69 a month. Under the proposal, various federal agencies working with seniors and taking on poverty would be required to report on Congress regarding their best practices.

“As we prepare to honor the men and women on Veteran’s Day who have served our country, it is crucial that we know how many of our nation’s veterans and their families are struggling to put food on the table,” Lawson said on Wednesday. “These screenings will go a long way in helping members of Congress and policymakers understand the severity of this problem and identify steps we can take to support our veterans.”

Comments

Too bad Al Lawson never goes out of his district to learn the TRUTH. Not a veteran I know wants a food handout! They want JOBS, they want the V A to do their jobs and NOT be so worried about all the paperwork, they'd love to have the ability to EARN on their own and support the family they once had to leave behind!
LOOK AROUND Mr Lawson. NO WELFARE!! PROVIDE JOBS!!

WHAT'S UP with this guy Al Lawson????...A legislative "Bill a day" just to keep his useless existence in the news??? What next AL,..."armpit deodorant for Veterans"?; "boots & shoes/with NEW socks"?; Free haircuts (like Congress Members get)?... (WE know you're there AL,....We're not happy about, but we do know;...We just can't understand how in the Hell you got there...) Getting Senator Gillibrand (D-NY) to "sign" your silly bill IS also silly (because she too has also been useless since she 'entered' Congress and began performing her act of "signing" other people's efforts so as to appear "useful" herself).

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